Spring and sway control system for wheeled vehicles



April 23, 1940. Q A, TSCHANZ 2,198,019

i SPRING AND SWAY CONTROL SYSTEM FOR WHEELED VEHICLES April 23, 1940- c. A. TscHANz 2.198.019

SPRING AND SWAY CONTROL SYSTEM FOR WHEELED VEHICLES yf-f- Filed Jan. 14, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 23, 1940. Q' A, TSCHANZ ?,198.019`

SPRING AND swAY CONTROL SYSTEM FOR WHEELED VEHICLES Filed Jan. 14, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPRING AND SWAY CONTROL SYSTEM FOR WHEELED VEHICLES This invention relates to improvements in control mechanism for use in association with the running gear of wheeled vehicles and pertains particularly to an improved hydraulic control mechanism.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved stabilizing and spring control mechanism or system which is designed to permit the use of flexible springs while conlO trolling the action of the same to the extent of restricting or eliminating undesirable movements thereof which would tend to impart shock to the body of the vehicle which the springs support. Another object of the invention is to provide l5 an improved hydraulic spring stabilizing system\ which effectively operates to suppress side sway'I of the vehicle body in addition to resisting and stabilizing other undesirable spring movements Without impairing those movements of the springs which are essentially necessary. l y

Another object of the invention is to provide in a system of the above described character, an improved and novel fluid moving unit associated with each spring of the vehicle in which the system is employed, which unit operates as a fluid reserve source in addition to functioning as a means for impelling movement of the uid in the system upon shock and rebound action of the adjacent connected vehicle spring.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved stabilizing valve unit for use in a system of the character stated.

A still further object is to provide novel resistance valves for use in the fluid lines connect- 35 ing the fluid impelling units with the stabilizing valve and with one another.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description of the same proceeds and the invention will be best 40 understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part of this specication, with the understanding, how'ever, that the invention is not to be conned to any 45 strict conformity with the showing of the drawings but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates a layout of the present stabilizing and spring control system showing the connections of the-impeller units between the vehicle body and the adjacent axles.

55 Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 2-2.of Fig. 1 through a front impeller unit.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on a horizontal 6 plane through the resistance valve which is connected in the forward or front part of the system as it is laid out in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken through a resistance valve which constitutes a 10 slightly modified form of the valve shown ..1 Fig.

4 and which is connected in the system at the end thereof opposite from the first resistance valve.

Fig. 6 is a detailed View in elevation of a fluid l5 check disk such as is used in the resistance valves.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 1, showing at the center the stabilizer valve and the lateral auxiliary valves.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of an 20 auxiliary valve taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7.

-Fig. 9 is a view in end elevation of a valved piston forming a part of the stabilizer valve..

Fig. 10 is a view in end elevation of a piston of the auxiliary valves.

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view through a modified form of stabilizer valve.

Fig. 12 is a view in sidev elevation of a vehicle chassis equipped with the mechanism embodying the present invention, the wheels upon the near 30 side of the chassis having been removed and the axles being shown in section.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a description will be rs't given of the parts of the system and the manner in which the several parts are connected together and between the vehicle chassis frame and springs of the running gear after which the operation of the parts will be set forth.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, portions of a 40 vehicle chassis frame are shown and indicated by the numeral l, these portions of the frame being located over the vehicle front and rear springs (not shown), and adjacent to the front and rear axles, the ends of which are identified by the numerals L-Z and R-2 for the left and right ends, respectively, of the front axle, and L-3 and R-3 for the left and right ends, respectively, of the rear axle.

Secured to the .chassis frame l adjacent each of the springs is a uid impeller unit and two units at the front of the vehicle are indicated generally by the numeral 4, while those at the rear are indicated by the numeral 4'. Thus there are four of these units in the system and the construction of them is substantially the same for each except that the front units have a by-pass which the rear units do not have and which will be hereinafter more particularly referred to. Except for this by-pass of the front units, the construction of the units is the same and, therefore, the following description will apply to each and in connection with the same reference should be had to Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings: Each of the impeller units'includes a piston cylinder 5 having the front and rear closure plates 6 and 1, respectively, which are provided with threaded pipe nipples 8 for connection in the system as hereinafter described. At the top of each cylinder 5 there is formed a housing 9 which opens downwardly into the cylinder at the transverse central portion thereof and this housing at one side is extended to form the bearing sleeve I0 in which is mounted a rock shaft I'I. Connected at the outer end of the rock shaft is a connecting arm I2 which couples the shaft II with the adjacent underlying axle, the connection of the end of arm I2 with the axle being such as to permit the relative vertical movement between the axle and unit cylinder 5 which is secured by means of the integral bosses I3 to the adjacent portion of the chassis frame I.

The nipple 8 at the front end of each unit constitutes a shock discharge port and the nipple at the rear of each unit constitutes a rebound discharge port for the fluid of the system.

The lower part of each front impeller unit cylinder 5 is provided with a longitudinally extending by-pass passage I4 which at its forward end opens upwardly into the cylinder through port I5 and is closed by the upwardly opening flap valve IB. The rear end of this by-pass passage I'4 l has the upwardly extending port I1 which opens into the cylinder 5 adjacent the opposite or rear end. Screw means I8 is also provided for controlling the flow of fluid through the passage I4.

Within the cylinder 5 of each of the impeller units 4 and 4m are the two spaced pistons, each of which is indicated by the: numeral I9, these pistons having upon their opposing or confronting sides the studs which are joined together by the plates 2|. The plates and the spaced studs thus form a central area in which is loosely fitted an end of a thrust finger 22 which is carried by and extends downwardly from the inner end of the rock shaft I I.

W'hen the pistons I9 of the front units 4 are in what might be termed normal or centralized position, the rear piston will be over and will close port I1 of the by-pass passage I'4 and the front piston will be rearwardly of the discharge port I5, at the other end of the passage.

The front piston in each impeller 4 and 4 is provided with a pointed' valvestem 23 which is adapted to enter a fluid pipe connected with the adjacent outlet nipple 8.

As shown in Fig. 1, there are four of the impeller units described and they are arranged so that the thrust arms I2 are all directed forwardly and downwardly for connection with the adjacent axles. Thus it will be seen that upon thrust movement being imparted to each of the arms, by which is meant an upward movement of the arms, the pistons of each unit will be moved forwardly in their cylinder.

At one end of the control system, here shown as the front end, there is disposed a resistance valve, the detailed construction of which is shown in Fig. 4. This valve is designated as a whole by the numeral 24 and consists of a cylinder 25 which is horizontally .disposed in the system and which has its ends closed by the caps 28, each of which has a threaded port 21. Intermediate the ends of the cylinder 25 is a threaded port 28.

The ports 21 of the resistance valve 24 are connected by pipes 29 with'the front ends of the front impeller units 4. Within the resistance valve 24 are two piston disks 38, each of which has a central fluid port 3| therethroughand= disposed upon the outer side of each disk 30 is a check disk 32, which in addition to having a central opening 33 therethrough, is connected with the guide ring 34 by means of the arms 35 which extend in divergent relation outwardly from the periphery of the check disk to the guide ring. This guide ring has snug sliding engagement in the cylinder and the check disk positions against the outer face of the adjacent piston disk to cover and close the port 3l therethrough.

Extending longitudinally of the cylinder 25 and through the ports 3l of the piston disks, is a free moving stem 38 which has at each end a reduced portion 31 whereby there are formed the stop shoulders 88. These shoulders normally lie within the ports 3l of the piston disks, the disks being held in a predetermined relation upon opposite sides of the port 28, by a coil spring 39 which encircles the stem and bears at its ends against the disks. The resistance valve is thus divided into a central chamber 48 and two end chambers 4I. Encircling the reduced end portions 31 of the stem are springs 42 and 43 which lie within the end chambers 4I,-and the spring 43 is of greater strength than the spring 42, while the central chamber spring 39 is weaker than the spring 42. Thus the strengths of the three springs progress from 39, which is the weakest, to 43, which is the strongest, and as will be seen, the springs 42 and 43 are each connected at one end with the stem and have their other ends bearing against the adjacent check disks to maintain the latter against their respective piston disks.

Interposed between each check disk ring 34 and the adjacent piston disk is a stop 44 which is carried by the wall of the cylinder. This stop limits the movement of the adjacent piston disk in one direction and of the adjacent check disk in the opposite direction, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

In the central part of the system is a valve which is indicated generally by the numeral 45 and which is termed the stabilizer valve. This valve is disposed transversely of the system and has at each end a smaller or auxiliary valve, each of which is generally indicated by the numeral 46.

Fig. 7 illustrates in detail the parts of the stabilizer valve and shows the connections of the same with the auxiliary valves. As shown in this figure, the stabilizer valve consists of a central cylinder 41 which is covered at each end by a spring enclosing cap 48, the spring therein being indicated by the numeral 49. Each cap has a uid nipple 50 connected therewith to extend outwardly for connection with the adjacent auxiliaryvalve as hereinafter described, and at its inner end, each cap compresses between itself and the adjacent end of the cylinder 41, the resilient and metallic sealing rings 5I and 52, respectively. These rings project into the circular area dened by the interiors of the caps and the cylinder.

Extending through each pair of ringsl 5I-52 is a sliding sleeve 53 which has a flange 54 upon theend nearest .the adjacent spring 49, which engages the adjacent ring 52 and limits the move-.a ment of the sleeve toward the central part ofthe valve. This movement is imparted by the adjacent spring 49 which is of the expansion type and, therefore, normally maintains the flange 54 against the adjacent movement limiting ring 52.

When the sleeves 53 are in the l extreme positions to which they may be moved by the adjacent springs, they contact at their inner or confronting ends with piston heads 55, each of which has a short tubular stem 56, the passage of the stem extending through the piston headyl as shown. The inner ends of these tubular/tems are normally in contacting relation. 'I'here is thus formed between .the piston heads 55 the center uid receiving. chamber 51, and the cylinder 41 is provided at opposite sides with ports 58 which open into this central chamber.

Upon the outer side of each piston head 55, a resilient flap disk 59 is secured which normally covers the end of the stem passage opening through the piston head. In addition to the passage of the stem through the head, each head is provided with a through o r transverse passage 60 which is covered upon the side which is within the chamber 51, by the spring plate 6|. This plate is more particularly shown in Fig. 9 and, as shown, is secured at one end and is adapted to move relative to the passage 60 so as to open and close the same.

Each of the auxiliary valves 46, a detail showing of one of which is made in Fig. 8, comprises a cylinder 62 which is closed at each end by a cap 63 which has an eccentrically located threaded nipple 64. Upon each side of the transverse center of the cylinder 62 is a piston stop shoulder 65 and between these shoulders a threaded plug is secured in the wall of the cylinder, as indicated at 66, which carries a stem 61 which extends across the central part of the cylinder. The area between the shoulders 65 forms a central chamber into which the nipple 50 at one end of the stabilizer valve opens through the medium of the threaded connection 68.

Upon the side of the cylinder 62 from the plug 66, the body of the cylinder is enlarged to form a uid inlet passage 69 which is controlled by a ball check 10, and two outlet passages 1I disposed upon opposite sides of the passage 69, which at one end open into the cylinder at one side of a shoulder 65 while at the other ends they join for communication with a transfer pipe 12. This transfer pipe connects the passages 1| of one auxiliary valve with those 'of the opposite auxiliary valve, as shown in Fig. '1.

Within the cylinder 62 there are the two pistons, each of which is indicated by the numeral |03, and each of these pistons has a central l passage |04, Fig. l0, for the extension therethrough of a stem |05, and two :duid passages |06. These pistons |03 are limited in their movement toward one another by the stop shoulders 65 and when they are in engagement with- Y these shoulders there remains a central chamber into which the passage controlled by the ball check 10 opens and each of the pistons coversan end of a passage 1| which leads into the cylinder. Carried by and secured to each of the stems so that it may not have movement independently of the stem, is a valve disk |01 which is disposed against that face of the adjacent piston body which is in opposition to the other piston. Upon the opposite side of each piston from the disk, a spring is located which surrounds the stem and is secured at one end thereto and hasits other end bearing against the adjacent piston to hold the disk |01 in closing position thereon with respect to the lfluid passages |08. Due to the oifset or eccentric location of the outlet nipples 64, it will be seen that when th'e pistons |08 move toward the outer ends of the cylinder,l the stems |05 will abut the caps 83 to effect the shifting of the stems in a direction which will move the disks |01 away from the pistons so as to open the passages through the pistons. 'I'his action will be more particularly described in the hereinafter set forth statement of operation of the system.

In the system one of the central ports 58 of I the stabilizer valve is connected by a pipe 13 with the nipple 28 leading into the central chamber 40 of the resistance valve 24 and the other port 58 of the stabilizer valve is connected by a pipe 14 leading rearwardly to a second resistance valve which is indicated generally by the numeral and which will be hereinafter more speciiically described.

Each of the auxiliary valves is connected at one end by a pipe 16 with the rear end of the adjacentfront impeller unit 4 and the opposite end ofeach auxiliary valve is connected by a cross-over pipe with the front end of the Iremote rear impeller unit 4a or, in other words, with the impeller unit adjacent to the opposite auxiliary valve.

The rear resistance valve 15 is of the same construction as the front valve 24 except for the fact that the piston disks, which are here indicated by the numeral 18, have the check disks between them instead of upon the outer or remote sides thereof. These check disks are' of exactly the same construction as the one shown in Fig. 6 and specifically described in connection with the valve 24 and, therefore, they will be merely generally designated by the identifying numeral 19. 'I'he stem 80 which passes through the central passages 8| of the piston disks of this unit is connected at one end by the spider 82, with the outer side of a disk 18, and passes through to the far side of the opposite disk 18 where it carries the Weak expansion spring 83, one end of which is connected to the stem while the other end bears against the adjacent piston disk. Interposed between the check disks 19 are the two springs 84 and 85, the spring 84 being stronger than the spring 83 but slightly weaker than the spring 85. The central chamber of the rear resistance valve has the pipe 14 leading thereinto, as shown in Fig. l, and leading from the outer chambers of this resistance valve are the pipes 86 which connect the valve with the rear ends of the adjacent impeller units 4.

Fig. 11 illustrates a slightly modified form of the stabilizing valve which is disposed at the center of the system. This modified stabilizer valve is generally designated by the numeral 81 and consists of the cylinder 88 closed at the ends by the caps 89, each of which has a port 90 opening therethrough for connection with an auxiliary valve. Within the cylinder is a longitudinal dividing partition 9| which terminates short of the ends of the cylinder and joins the oppositely directed centrally apertured walls 92. This partition 9| has a central transverse ,passage 93 therethrough. Thiscylinder 88 is thus divided into two longitudinally extending overlapping chambers 94 and in each there is disposed a sliding piston 95 which has longitudinal fluid ports 96 therethrough. These pistons 95 are upon opposite sides of the transverse center of the cylinder and central transverse port I3. as shown, and each carries a stem 31 which upon its outer end has a plate 03 which normally covers the passage through a transverse wall 32, the

stem also carryinga spring 35 and avalvedisle with of the pipes 13 and 14, which pipes leady into the areas between the pistons and the opposed walls 92 when this form of valve is used in place of the valve 45.

When the system is in operation, all of the f cylinders and the pipes will, of course, be filled with fluid and the area of each impeller unit, between the two pistons therein, will be illled and will form ya reserve reservoir for the system from which fluid may be drawn to replenish any which may escape by leakage.

As previously stated, all of the impeller units are disposed so that the actuating lever arms or thrust arms I2 extend forwardly for connection with the adjacent axles and thus when shock is imparted to the front springs or to the back springs, fluid will be forced from the shock discharge ports 8 at front ends of the cylinders of the impeller units, but in the case of the front units, such fluid would be forced through the pipes 29 into the ends of the resistance valve 24, where its flow would be only slightly resisted until the rings of the check disks, moving with the piston disks, are stopped by the stops 44, whereupon the piston disks would continue to be moved together against the resistance of the interposed weak vspring and the fluid would flow through the resistance or ilow retarding valve through the line 13 into the central chamber of the stabilizing valve 45. 'I'he volume of fluid is increased in this central chamber while the volume is decreased in the end chambers when the pistons in thefront impeller units move forwardly. This increase in the volume of fluid in the central chamber will force the pistons 55 of the stabilizer valve away from each other, thus opening the passage through the tubular stems 5l. The fluid can then pass through these stems and past the resilient flap valves 59 into the end chambers of the stabilizer valve and through the nipples 50, into the space between the two pistons |03 of the auxiliary valve 46 (see Fig. 8). 'I'hese pistons |03 of the auxiliary valves, which carry the plates |01 and the stems |05 of the plates are moved toward the outer ends of the cylinders 62. When the stems |05 abut the end caps 63, the pistons |03 separate from the plates |01, opening the passage |06. through which the fluid flows into the pipes 16 to the rear end of the front impeller units where the space for the fluid has increased.

With the application of a shock to the thrust arms of the rear impeller units, the fluid would be forced directly through the lines 11 into the ends of the auxiliary valves 46. 'I'he uid proceeds to move the pistons |03 against the stop shoulders 65, if they are not already in this position.- The plates |01 of the auxiliary valves then will be forced away from the pistons |03 to allow the Enid to pass into the central 'chamber of the a ary valve and through the nipples 60 into the end chambers ofthe stabilizer valve 45. 'I'he fluid will then force open the resilient valve plate 6| and will pass into the central chamber of the auxiliary valve and through the pipe 14 into the central chamber of the rear resistance of the valve 15, which valve is shown in detail in Fig. 5. 'Ihe fluid will then force the disks 18 ofthe rear resistance valve toward the outer ends of the cylinder until the check disks 19 rest against their respective stops while the piston disks move further 'to open the passage 8|, through which the fluid ows into the pipes 86 to the rear ends of the rear impelleruni It will be seen from the illustration of the impeller unit in Fig. 2 that when the pistons therein are moved upon the application of shock to the thrust arm I2, or, in other words, when the attached vehicle spring is compressed, the

- end of the assembly carrying the ow retarding tip 23 will move toward the adjacent end of the cylinder. This will force out uid into the outlet line and will force the ap valve I6 to closed position. Upon return of the pistons, following the movement of the rear one of the two past the port |1, this return movement being made upon rebound or reflexing of the spring, the iluid may pass through the bypass passage |4 until the said rear piston closes the port |1. As

, previously stated, this port is normally closed by the piston when these front units are in normal position or in position between the application of shock to the springs and the reex or rebound action. When the pistons of these front impeller cylinders move in the opposite direction or on rebound far enough that the port I1v becomes uncovered, the bypass is connected with the reserve fluid contained in the cylinder between the pistons so that if any additional fluid is needed in the system, it may be drawn in by the forward piston.

In the operation of the present system in the control of side sway motion of a vehicle body carried upon the chassis frame with which the impellers are connected, consider that the impeller units or the pistons of such units are operated at the right-hand side of the vehicle to move forwardly as would be the case if this side of the vehicle were lowered while the pistons of the units upon the left-hand side move rearwardly as they would do if the left side of the vehicle moved upwardly. Such motion might be imparted to the pistons of the units as the vehicle is rounding a curve to the left. Under such conditions, the pistons in the impeller units R-Z and R-3 move forwardly as previously stated, and the pistons in the units L-2 and L-3 move rearwardly and uid would be forced rearwardly from the left front unit 4 and forwardly from the right rear unit 4'L through the pipes 16 and 11, respectively, into the two ends of the left auxiliary valve 46. Such fluid would then pass from the left auxiliary valve to the left chamber of the stabilizer valve 45, wherein pressure would act against the left-hand piston 55. The rearward movement of the pistons of the left rear unit 4l and forward movement of the pistons of the right front unit 4 would produce pressure in the middle chamber of the stabilizer valve equal to the pressure developed in the left chamber thereof.

It will be observed that if the pistons |03 in the left auxiliary valve are not over the ports 1| to prevent the passage of iluid through the crosspotential iiow, of fluid, however if one of these pistons would be forced away from its port, by pressure from the oppoite end of the valve member, the fluid in back of this piston would be i retained to preserve stabilization so long as the piston is away from the stop 65 and the port 1| adjacent to it. For instance, if the rear right impeller piston were moved forwardly -by a road shock delivered by the vehicle through the adjacent arm I2, fluid would be forced through pipe 'I1 from this unit into the left auxiliary valve, through the passage |06 in the rear piston |03 of this valve and against the front piston |03, forcing it away from its stop 65 and from over the port 1| adjacent thereto. The fluid forced from the right rear impeller unit will then pass from the left auxiliary valve into the stabilizing valve 45, through the passage 60 in the left piston 55 and then out through the pipe 14 to the central chamber of the rear resistance valve 15 and from there through the pipe 86 into the rear of the right rear impeller unit. 'I'he downward force of the side sway movement on the rightside under these conditions will be counteracted by the upward force of the road shock and piston in the right front impeller unit will remain stationary or nearly so and, therefore, little or no uid will pms through the open front port 1I in the left auxiliary valve and through the cross-over pipe 12 into the right auxiliary valve. Also, the fluid trapped in the left pipe 16 will prevent the piston in the left front impeller unit from moving rearwardly. It is to be remembered that this rearward movement of the piston of the left front unit would allow the vehicle body to rise on this side due to side sway force. Upon the return of the piston in the right rear impeller unit to its position which it occupied previous to the road shock above described,- the fluid will pass from the rear chamber through the pipe 86 to the rear valve 15 and through this to and through the pipe 14 into the central chamber of the stabilizer valve where the pressure will force apart the pistons, causing the ends of the stems to separate. 'I'he uid then passes through the stem 56 of the left piston 55, past the resilient flap valve plate 59, into the central chamber of the left auxiliary valve 46. 'I'he fluid will cause the rear piston |03 of this left auxiliary valve to move toward the end cap 63 suiiiciently far to effect separation of the plate |01 therefrom, as the stem |05 abuts the end cap 63. The uid then passes through the opening |06 and into the pipe 11 to the front end of the right rear impeller unit.

It is possible that a small amount of fluid may pass through the stem 56 of the right piston 55 of the stabilizer valve and to the right front and left rear'impeller units, while the stems 56 are separated. However, the pressure transmitted by the rearward movement of the piston in the right rear impeller unit, to the iiuid in the line 86 which connects the rear ends of the rear impeller units, will counteract the rearward movement of the piston in the left rear impeller unit. This rearward movement would cause the body of the vehicle to rise and as long as the body does not rise, the piston in the left front impeller unit will remain stationary. So long as the piston in the left rear impeller unit does not move, no fluid will pass through the stem passage 56 of the right piston in the stabilizer valve 45,into the\ ight auxiliary valve 46 and through the pipe 11 {lnto the front of the left impeller unit. If the piston in the right front impeller unit does move forwardly, the rearward movement of the piston in the iight rear impeller unit will be decreased equally. This will shorten the duration of the separation of the pistons 55 in the stabilizer valve and :prevent an excessive flow of fluid therethrough.

The force of the fluid created by the rearward movement of the right rear impeller unit piston acting against the rear of the piston in the left rear unit and against theA front of the piston in the right front unit, will maintain stabilization during the instant when the pistons 55 in the stabilizer valve are separated. Considering now a case where the pistons the two impeller units on one side of thevehicle move under shock in the same direction and oppositely to the pistons on the other side as, for example, when the pistons on the left side of the system are moved forwardly upon thecompression of the vehicle springs by road shocks, if at the very moment that these pistons reverse themselves, that is, begin to move rearwardly, the pistons on the right side should be -forced forwardly by road shock, the transmission of fluid in the system will take place in the following manner. At first the piston of the left front unit is in advance of the by-pass |1 of that unit and as this piston moves rearwardly, the fluid will be displaced through the by-pass into the front end of the impeller unit. As the piston of the right rear unit moves forwardly, it forces iiuid through the pipe 11 into the left auxiliary valve and moves the front piston |03 of this valve away from the port 1|, if the piston happens to be over the port and the fluid is then free to pass through the cross-over pipe 12 into the other auxiliary valve and out through the pipe 16 to the right front impeller unit and also through the pipe 11 to the left rear impeller unit. This action is brought about through the separation of the pistons |03 of the right auxiliary valve to the point where the stems engage the caps 63 so as to unseat the disks |01, thus permitting the fluid to flow through the pipes 16 and 11, as stated. The uid from the right rear impeller unit can also pass through the left auxiliary valve and the pipe 16 connected thereto into the left front unit, then through the by-pass to and through the pipe 29 to the front resistance valve 24, passing then to the pipe 13, the central chamber of the stabilizer valve 45, through the pipe 14 to the rear resistance unit and from there through the pipe 86 into the rear of the right rear impeller unit. In the above order. the uid pressure is dissipated in the left auxiliary valve and the left chamber of the stabilizer valve, permitting the separation of the pistons due to the pressure exerted on the fluid by the forward movement of the piston in the right front unit and the rearward movement of the piston of the left rear unit. When these pistons of they stabilizer valve are separated, the uid can pass out of this valve into the right auxiliary valve through the pipes 16 and 11 to the right front and left rear units, respectively. The by-pass in the left front unit and the front port 1| in the left auxiliary valve will be held open by the force of the forward movement of the piston ofthe right rear unit. When this forward movement of the piston of the right rear unit is completed, the piston of the left front unit can resume its normal position rearwardly of the by-pass, This will ene'ct at the same time the cleanser-the front port 1| of the left auxiliary valve by the slight movement of the uid and which will be imparted to the front piston |03 of the left auxiliary valve which will shift this piston into port closing position. The piston of thedeft rear unit will come to its normal position at the same time as the piston of the left front unit.

As the pistons of the right front and right rear units move rearwardly upon completion of their forward movement, the iiuid in the system will flow first through the pipe 16 from the right front unit into the right auxiliary valve and will pass through the front piston |03 of this valve to the central chamber and force the rear piston |03 away from the port 1| which it covers, if it should be in covering relation with this port. As the iiuid moves the rear piston I 03, in the right auxiliary valve 46, away from the port 1 I, if the valve should be in covering relation with this port, the iiuid will then pass through the pipe 12 into the central chamber of the left auxiliary valve by raising the ball check 10. Since the piston in the right rear impeller unit moves rearward the space for fluid will be increased in the front end of this unit or, in other words, there will be a decrease in the uid pressure in the front end of the unit and in the line 11, therefore, the iiuid will flow rearwardly out of the left auxiliary valve through the pipe 11 to the right rear impeller unit. During this movement of the uid under the impulse of the piston in the right front unit, the iiuid set in motion by the piston ofthe rear right unit will pass from the rear end of this unit through the pipe 86 to the resistance valve 15 to the pipe 14 and into the central chamber of the stabilizer valve and through to the pipe 13 to the front resistance valve 24, passing then through the pipe 29 into the front end of the right front unit.

As previously set forth, the resistance valves 24 and 15 are of slightly different construction. These valves operate only to resist the rebound motion of the vehicle springs.

The front resistance valve resists the ow of uid into the front ends of the front impeller units since the rebound motion of the front springs moves the pistons of the front units rearwardly in their cylinders. 'I'he rear resistance valve 15, which is connected in the pipe that joins the rear ends of the rear impeller units, resists the flow of fluid out of the rear ends of these units. Because of the actions stated in connection with the two resistance valves, the stronger springs must be between the disks 18 of the rear valve so that when uid is forced into either end of this rear valve, as, for example, into the right end, the disk 18 at the right end of this valve will move against the stops and then the fluid pressure will move the plate 13 away from the right disk 13, against the tension of the springs interposed between the disks, to allow the iiuid to pass into the middle chamber. From the middle chamber it can then flow out through the line 14 or move the left plate 19 against the stops and then move the left disk 18 away from the plate to allow the iluid to pass out of the left end of this valve. 'I'he ow of the fluid is in the direction of least resistance.

If, considering the resistance valve 15, the iiuid is forced into both ends at one time, both disks 18 will move into position against their respective stops and the spring 84 will be entirely compressed and before the plates 19 canvmove away from the disks, the extra strong spring 0I must be compressed. From this it will be seen that when the piston of only one of the rear units moves rearwardly or in rebound direction, there is practically no resistance to the flow of fluid through the resistance valve but as soon as both pistons move, the desired resistance is eil'ected. When the iiow of fluid is into the middle portion of the rear resistance valve through the pipe 14 and out of one end of this valve, one plate will move to its stop and the adjacent disk will separate therefrom by compressing the weak spring 03 which oers practically no resistance. If the ow of fluid is out of both ends, the spring 83 will be further compressed to allow the separation of the other disk and plate.

What is claimed is:

1. 'I'he combination with a vehicle having a. chassis frame and running gear therebenath including front and rear axles and springs connecting the axles with the frame, of a spring and sway control system, comprising a iiuid impeller iiuid containing unit secured adjacent each spring and having operative connection with the running gear, each unit having a fluid shock discharge port and a fluid rebound discharge port, a central valve unit for the system having a center and end fluid chambers with iiuid pressure opened ports therebetween, a pipe line connecting the rebound discharge ports of two transversely disposed units, a iiuid passing flow retarding valve in said pipe line, a pipe connecting said retarding valve with the'center chamber of said central valve unit, a uid flow control valve connected with each end fluid chamber of the central valve unit, a pipe connecting the shock discharge port of each of said adjacent units with a port for a fluid ilow control valve, a pipe connecting the rebound discharge port of each of the other impeller units with a port of a fluid ow control valve, a pipe line connecting the shock discharge ports of the said other units, a uid passing ilow retarding valve in said last pipe line, and a pipe connecting said last valve with the center chamber of said central valve unit.

2. 'I'he combination with a vehicle having a chassis frame and running gear beneath the frame including front and rear axles and springs connecting the axles with the frame, comprising a piston operated iiuid impeller unit adjacent each spring, means connecting the unit between the chassis and the running gear for effecting the movement of the pistons of the units upon relative movement of the frame and gear, said units having front and rear fluid ports, said units being arranged to have the pistons therein move in the same direction upon simultaneous compression of all of the springs and upon simultaneous rebound ofv all of the springs, pipes connecting together those ports of transversely spaced units which are remote from the other units, pipes leading from the other ports of the units, and iiuid actuated valve means having said last pipes connected thereto and having pipe connection with the first-mentioned pipes, which is so ,constructed and arranged that upon sway of the frame opposing iiuid forces will be set up between the units upon one side of the chassis frame and those upon the other side thereof to check such sway.

3. The combination with a vehicle having a chassis frame and running gear beneath the frame including front and rear axles and springs connecting the axles with the frame, of a pair mesmo of transversely spaced cylinders at the front and y at the rear o! the frame. spaced connected pistons ineach cylinder, actuating means for the connected pistons of each cylinder, the cylinders and actuating means being connected between the frame and the adjacent running gear, a iiuid port at each end of each cylinder. a valve unit common to all of said cylinders and including a hollow body independent spaced pistons movable in the body and dividing the body into a center chamber and end chambers, said independent pistons each having a valved port leading therethrough only from the center chamber to the adjacent end chamber, each piston further having a valved port leading therethrough only from an end chamber to the center chamber, said rst ports being closed against Vpassage o! iluld in either vdirection when a uid pressure is established in either end chamber, pipes connecting together the adjacent ends of each pair of cylinders which are remote from the corresponding ends of the other cylinders, the said ends of one pair of cylinders ejecting fluid upon compression of the adjacent springs and the said ends of the other pair of cylinders ejecting uid upon rebound of the said springs, a uid flow retarding means in each of said pipes, a pipe establishing connection between each flow retarding means and the central chamber of said valve unit, a pipe leading from the other end of each cylinder to an end chamber of said valve unit, each of said end chambers having two cylinder pipes connected therewith, and flow control means connected between each two cylinder pipes and the chamber to which they lead, said last flow control means including twopressure relief elements each opening from one-of the two adjacent pipes toward the adjacent chamber.

4. The combination with a vehicle having a chassis frame and running gear beneath the frame including front and rear axles and springs connecting the axles with the frame, of a pair of transversely spaced cylinders at the front and at the rear of the frame, spaced connected plstons in each cylinder, actuating means for the connected pistons of each cylinder, the cylinders and actuating means being connected between the frame and the adjacent running gear, a uid port at each end of each cylinder, a valve unit common to all of said cylinders and including a hollow body, independent spaced pistons movable in the body and dividing the body into a center chamber and end chambers, said independent pistons each having a valved port leading therethrough only from the center chamber to the adjacent end chamber, each piston further having a valved port leading therethrough only from an end chamber to the center chamber, said first ports being closed against passage of fluid in either direction when a'fluid pressure is established in either end chamber, pipes connecting together the adjacent ends of each pair of cylinders which are remote from the corresponding ends of the other cylinders, the said ends of one pair of cylinders ejecting uid upon compression of the adjacent springs and the said ends of the other pair of cylinders ejecting iiuid upon rebound of the said springs, a uid ow retarding means in each of said pipes, a pipe establishing connection between each flow retarding means and the central chamber of said valve unit, a pipe leading from the other end of each cylinder to an end chamber of said valve unit, each of said end chambers having two cylinder pipes connected therewith, ow control means connected between each two cylinder pipes and the chamber to which they lead, said last ow control means including two pressure relie! elements each opening from one of the two adjacent pipes toward the adjacent chamber, a cross-over connection between the said ilow control means, and means whereby fluid pressure transmitted back from the adjacent chamber intoV the flow control means between said pressure relief elements may pass through the crossover connection to the other iiow control means. 5. The combination with a vehicle having a chassis frame and running gear beneath the frame including front and rear axles and springs connecting the axles with the frame, of a pair of transversely spaced cylinders at the front and at the rear of the frame, spaced connected pistons in each cylinder, actuating means for the connected pistons of each cylinder, the cylinders and actuating means being connected between the frame and the adjacent running gear, a uid port at each end of each cylinder, a valve unit common to all of said cylinders and including a hollow body, independent spaced pistons movable in the body and dividing the body into a center chamber and end chambers, said independent pistons each having a valved port leading therethrough only from the center chamber to the adjacent end chamber, each piston further having a valve port leading therethrough only from an end chamber to the center chamber, said first ports being closed against passage of iiuid in either direction when a fluid pressure is established in either end chamber, pipes connecting together the adjacent ends of each pair of cylinders which are remote from the corresponding ends of the other cylinders, the said ends of one pair of cylinders ejecting uid upon compression of the adjacent springs and the said ends of the other pair of cylinders ejecting fluid upon rebound of the said springs, a fluid ow retarding means in each of said pipes, a pipe establishing connection between each iiow retarding means and the central chamber of said valve unit, a pipe leading from the other end of each cylinder to an end chamber of said valve unit, each of said end chambers having two cylinder pipes connected therewith, flow control means connected between each twol cylinder pipes and the chamber to which they lead, said last ow control means including two pressure relief elements each opening from one of the two adjacent pipes toward the adjacent chamber, each of the said cylinders of one pair having a fluid passage by-passing the pistons therein, one of the pistons of each of said one pair of cylinders normally closing one end Vof the by-pass passage, and a flap valve closing the other end of said passage, the said other end of the passage opening into the cylinder between the other piston therein and the adjacent end of the cylinder.

6. The combination with a vehicle having a chassis frame and running gear beneath the frame including front and rear axles and springs connecting the axles with the frame, of a pair of transversely spaced cylinders at the front end of the vehicle, a pair of transversely spaced cylinders at the rear end of the vehicle, pistons in said cylinders, an operative connection between the piston of each cylinder and the adjacent running gear, said connections being such that upon application of shock to the springs, the pistons will move in the same direction for the ejection of iluid from each of the cylinders through one end thereof, the other ends of the cylinders havvis said pipe lines, each of said valves having a central port between the points of vconnection in the adjacent pipe line, a valve unit common to all of said cylinders and including a central valve body and lateral auxiliary valve bodies, said central valve body having two spaced relatively movable valved pistons therein dividing the cenf tral body into a central chamber and end chambers, each of said end chambers being in communication with an auxiliary valve body, a pipe connecting the central port of each flow retarding valve with said central chamber of the central valve body, a pipe connecting the port of each of the rst-mentioned pair of cylinders from which uid flows under rebound with an auxiliary valve body, a pipe connecting a port of each of the second-mentioned pair of cylinders from which iluid flows under shock, with an auxiliary valve body, and uid actuated units in each of the auxiliary valve bodies between the pipes connected therewith and the pipe connection of the same with the adjacent end chamber of the central valve body for retarding the flow of fluid into the auxiliary valve body and directing such flow into the adjacent central body end chamber.

'7. The combination with a vehicle having a chassis frame and running gear beneath the frame including front and rear axles and springs connecting the axles with the frame, of a pair of transversely spaced cylinders at the front end of the vehicle, a pair of transversely spaced cylinders at the rear end of the vehicle pistons in said cylinders, an operative connection between the piston of each cylinder and the adjacent running gear, said connections being such that upon application of shock to the springs, the pistons will move in the same direction for the ejection of fluid from each of the cylinders through one end thereof, the other ends of the cylinders having uid ports through which iluid is ejected upon rebound of the springs, a pipe line connecting those ends of one pair of cylinders through which fluid is ejected under shock, a pipe line connecting those ends of the other pair of cylinders through which iluid is ejected under rebound, a fluid iiow resisting valve in each of said pipe lines, each of said valves having a central port between the points of connection in the adjacent pipe line,

a valve unit common to all of said cylinders and including a central valve body and lateral auxiliary valve bodies, said central valve body having two spaced relatively movable valved pistons therein dividing the central body into a central chamber and end chambers, each of said end chambers being in communication with an auxiliary valve body, a pipe connecting the central port of each flow retarding valve with said central chamber of the central valve body, a pipe connecting the port of eachof the ilrst-mentioned pair of cylinders from which fluid flows under rebound with an auxiliary valve body, a pipe connecting a port of each of the second-mentioned pair of cylinders from which fluid llows under shock, with an auxiliary valve body, fluid actuated units in each of the auxiliary valve bodies between the pipes connected therewith and the pipe connection of the same with the adjacent end chamber of the central valve body for retarding the flow of fluid into the auxiliary valve' body" and directing such flow into the adjacent central body end chamber, a cross-over pipe connecting each of said auxiliary A'valve-bodies and having atv eachl end two discharge ports; leading into lthe adjacent auxiliary body, the said relatively movable units of each auxiliary valve body each being adapted toclose aport, and a check valve opening inwardly fromeach end of said cross-over pipe toward the area in each of said auxiliary valve bodies between the relatively movable units therein.

8. The combination with a vehicle having a chassis frame and running gear beneath the frame including front and rear axles and springs connecting the axles with the frame, of a pair of transversely spaced cylinders at the front end of the vehicle, a pair of transversely spaced cylinders at the rear end of the vehicle pistons in said cylinders, an operative connection between the piston oi each cylinder and the adjacent running gear, said connections being such that upon application of shock to the springs, the pistons will move in the same direction for the ejection of fluid from each of the cylinders through one end thereof, the other ends of the cylinders having fluid ports through which fluid is ejected upon rebound of the springs, a pipe line connecting those ends of one pair of cylinders through which fluid is ejected under shock, a pipe line connectlng those ends of the other pair of cylinders' through which iiuid is ejected under rebound, a fluid flow resisting valve in each of said pipe lines, each of said valves having a central port between the points of connection in the adjacent pipe line,

a valve unit common to all of said cylinders and including a central valve body and lateral auxiliary valve bodies, said central valve body having two spaced relatively movable valved pistons therein dividing the central body into a central chamber and end chambers, each of said end chambers being in communication with the central part of an auxiliary valve body, a pipe connecting the central port'of each flow retarding valve with said central chamber of the central valve body, a pipe connecting the port of each of the firstmentioned pair of cylinders from which iiuid flows under rebound with an auxiliary valve body, a pipe connecting a port of each of the secondmentioned pair of cylinders from which fluid flows under shock, with an auxiliary valve body, uid actuated valved units in each of the auxiliary valve bodies between the pipes connected therewith and the pipe connection of the same with the adjacent end chamber of the central valve body for passing the fluid through the auxiliary valve body into the central part thereof, a crossover pipe connecting each oi said auxiliary valve bodies and having at each end two discharge ports leading into the adjacent auxiliary b'ody, the said relatively movable units of each' auxiliary valve body being adapted when in one position to close a port, and a check valve opening inwardly from each end of said cross-over pipe toward the area in each of said auxiliary valve bodies between the relatively movable units therein, those pipes rock means connected with the coupling neans 10 inwardly of the adjacent end wall and in a. position tn be covered by the adjacent piston, and a ,flap valve closing the mst-mentioned end o! said passage and opening into the cylinder, said connected pistons when in central position in the cylinder being disposed with one thereof spaced from 'the ilap valve controlled port of the passage and the other in closing position with respect to the other port of said passage.

CARL A. TSCHANZ. 

